The effectiveness of job specific training on the occupational performance of student nurses

Body mechanic checklist scores during a one-person pivot transfer, and boosting up in bed were evaluated to determine the effectiveness of training on the work performance of female student nurses from a local college. Thirty subjects participated in the study and were divided into a control group, an experimental group that received basic body mechanic training, and an experimental group that received job specific training. A one-way ANCOVA was calculated to examine the effects of the experimental procedures on the subjects' performance. This revealed a statistically significant difference between the groups (patient transfer F = 10.11, p value < 0.001; boosting F = 38.62, p value < 0.001). A post hoc analysis (Bonferroni procedure) indicated that the job specific training group (mean 11.65, SD 0.66) demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in their performance compared to the other two groups (control group mean 7.5, SD 0.67; BBMT mean 9.66, SD 0.67).     

A longitudinal study of the learning and retention of task-specific training

This longitudinal study evaluated the learning and retention of task-specific training during the subjects' classroom performance of a one-person pivot transfer. Twelve subjects were videotaped completing the transfer (pretest). The subjects then participated in a two-hour training session. One week later (posttest 1), and one year later (posttest 2) the subjects were videotaped again. A checklist was used to analyze the videotapes. A one-way ANOVA with repeated measures revealed that there was a statistically significant difference between the tests (F = 243.73, p-value < 0.0001). A post hoc analysis (Bonferroni procedure) indicated that the posttest 1 scores (mean = 13, SD = 0.40) were significantly higher than the pretest scores (mean = 2.96, SD = 0.39) indicating an improved score on the checklist. There was no significant difference between the scores of posttest 1 and posttest 2 (mean = 12.79, SD = 0.60) indicating that subjects continued to perform the task with proper body mechanics one year post training.     

Prevention efforts underlying decreases in binge drinking at institutions of higher education

Analyses of 94 Fund for the Improvement of Post-Secondary Education (FIPSE)-sponsored drug-prevention programs and their outcomes used the Core Survey to identify 34 institutions where college students' binge drinking increased (M = 5.44%) and 60 institutions where it decreased (M = -4.59%) during 2 years of program operation. The authors used an inductively derived taxonomy of prevention program elements, student variables, student substance use, use-related variables, and institutional variables to compare the 2 groups of institutions. Only prevention program elements discriminated between groups. Factor analysis of discriminating elements identified 8 prevention factors that improved base-rate prediction of institutional decrease in binge drinking by 28.1%. Factor synthesis yielded a 3-construct binge-drinking prevention model based on student participation and involvement strategies, educational and informational processes, and campus regulatory and physical change efforts. This model improved base-rate prediction of decreased binge drinking by 33.2%.     

On location and scale parameters of exponential distributions with censored observations

In this paper we first address the problem of estimating the common scale of several exponential distributions with unknown location parameters when censored samples are observed. The improved estimators are basically Stein type testimators. These testimators are then used to construct improved estimators of location parameters.     

Prevention Efforts Underlying Decreases in Binge Drinking at Institutions of Higher Education

Abstract

Analyses of 94 Fund for the Improvement of Post-Secondary Education (FIPSE)-sponsored drug-prevention programs and their outcomes used the Core Survey to identify 34 institutions where college students' binge drinking increased (M = 5.44%) and 60 institutions where it decreased (M = -4.59%) during 2 years of program operation. The authors used an inductively derived taxonomy of prevention program elements, student variables, student substance use, use-related variables, and institutional variables to compare the 2 groups of institutions. Only prevention program elements discriminated between groups. Factor analysis of discriminating elements identified 8 prevention factors that improved base-rate prediction of institutional decrease in binge drinking by 28.1%. Factor synthesis yielded a 3-construct binge-drinking prevention model based on student participation and involvement strategies, educational and informational processes, and campus regulatory and physical change efforts. This model improved base-rate prediction of decreased binge drinking by 33.2%.     

Estimation of the smaller and larger of two uniform scale parameters

Assume independent random samples are drawn from two populations which are uniformly distributed with unknown scale parameters. The problem is to estimate the minimum and the maximum of the two unknown scales. In this paper, several simple estimators are proposed which are better than the natural estimators in terms of standardized bias, risk under squared error loss and the Pitman nearness criterion.     

A note on the common mean of two normal populations with order restricted variances

Consider the problem of estimating the common mean of two normal populations when the order of the unknown variances is known. In this article we have constructed a simple improved estimator which is better than the usual Graybill-Deal estimator in terms of stochastic domination.     

Measuring alcohol craving in Saudi Arabia with possible implications for social work intervention

It is only in recent times that there has been recognition of alcohol abuse in Saudi Arabia, and social, psychological and health implications are now acknowledged. This study measured craving among Saudi alcoholics and compared it with the levels of alcohol they consumed. The study used an instrument for measuring craving (Alcohol Craving Questionnaire) after identifying the subjects by means of a demographical questionnaire and testing their level of alcohol use by means of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. The study concludes that all Saudi alcoholics experience levels of craving. The overall results of both scales indicate that all patients can be considered to be alcoholics and that they experience various levels of craving for alcohol.     

The Perception of Organizational Issues of Social Work Practitioners in Saudi Hospitals

ABSTRACT

Health care has evolved rapidly in Saudi Arabia, based upon a Western model of service that incorporates multidisciplinary professional teams. Social work practice forms part of patient care. This study explores how Saudi social workers perceive their role and how they describe their practice within the hospital context. A quantitative methodology was employed using a self-administered questionnaire. Analysis revealed that 219 social workers perceived formidable limitations to their daily work practice. The study identified factors relating to the hospital's organizational circumstances where a) organizational structural aspects, b) organizational resources, and c) hospital management and interprofessional teamwork impacted best practice. Future research and recommendations for further study are outlined.